Hats off to Carol Kennelly who yesterday took home the top prize of Best Dressed Lady at the Dublin Horse Show.

And there was more joy for the glamorous Co Kerry woman as she met her idol, world-renowned fellow milliner Philip Treacy, at the stylish event in South Dublin’s RDS.

The mum of two battled it out with more than 600 entrants – the highest number to date – and won over the judges with an elegant cream ensemble by her designer pal Tina Griffin.

Carol, 42, from Tralee, said: “I’m so overwhelmed. I really enjoy coming to these days with my girlfriends and leaving the kids at home.”

She now has a shopping trip for two to New York worth €8,000 to look forward to after landing the Blossom Hill Best Dressed Lady prize.

Carol was also named Kerry Designer of the Year at Kerry Fashion Week last March.

Fashion blogger Lisa Regan, 28, from Galway, was a worthy runner-up in a vintage 70s dress which cost just €15. She teamed it up with a hat from Michael Mullins.

Most Colourful Outfit went to pretty Aoibheen McMonagle, from Dublin, while the Elegance Is An Attitude prize went to Danielle Gingell, from Co Mayo, who was inspired by Wednesday Addams.

Stylish designer Belle Phipps, from Kildare, won Most Creative Hat in a piece from her milliner friend Laura Kinsella.

The sunny weather may have been behind an increase in male entrants who were judged by superstar hat designer Treacy.

Dapper Maurice Keogh, 27, from Dublin, took home the prize of an exclusive VIP package for two in Galway’s award-winning g Hotel worth over €5,000, much to the delight of his girlfriend. She said: “He’s really into fashion.

“He’s a carpenter so usually he wears comfortable clothes for work so he likes to get dressed up when he can.”

Thrilled to be on home soil, Treacy was attending the Horse Show with his partner Stefan Bartlett.

And despite dressing the heads of everyone from Kate Middleton to Victoria Beckham, he said some of his most exciting jobs have entailed making hats for women who have saved up for them the weddings of their children – because it “means more”.

Treacy, originally from Ahascragh, Co Galway, added: “The woman who works in my shop in London says that actually I don’t sell hats, I sell dreams.”

“This is my first time ever at the Dublin Horse Show and it’s an iconic, Irish moment. I’ve been here in spirit, my hats.”

There were lots of other celebrity sightings including supermodel Jasmine Guinness.

The 37-year-old, who grew up in Co Kildare, was on-hand to support her pal Treacy.

The mum of three, who belongs to one of the country’s most famous and richest families, is a long-time friend of his and famously wore one of the milliner’s creations on her wedding day in the family castle in Leixlip in 2006.

Meanwhile, fashion gurus and hosts Brendan Courtney and Angela Scanlon had their work cut out for them with the well-heeled ladies who entered the popular competition on the second day of the show at the RDS.

And Brendan admitted he was a huge fan of “talented” winner Carol.

He added: “This is her year. She really deserves it. That dress was flawless.”

Around 100,000 people in total are expected to attend the RDS event which runs until Sunday.